A uterus is normally in a straight and vertical position. A tilted uterus is tipped toward the back of the pelvis. It isn't a life-threatening condition and in most cases won't interfere with fertility or pregnancy.
Symptoms of a Tilted Uterus
Many women don't experience any symptoms of a tilted uterus. In fact, some women don't know they have a tilted uterus until a pelvic exam is performed. The most common symptoms are pain during intercourse and/or menstruation. Lesser symptoms may include:
- back pain during intercourse
- minor incontinence
- urinary tract infections
- fertility problems
- difficulty using tampons
Reasons for a Tilted Uterus
Some causes for this condition include:
- the uterus may not move forward during puberty
- childbirth
- endometriosis and/or fibroids
Treating a Tilted Uterus
A tilted uterus can be treated through non-surgical means through a “knee-chest” or a pessary. A “knee-chest” exercise can tip the uterus into the correct position for a temporary time. This exercise will not work for women who have a tilted uterus due to endometriosis, fibroid tumors or pelvic infections.
Another non-surgical way to treat the condition is through a pessary. This is also a temporary solution because it can lead to vaginal infections if left in the vagina for too long. With a pessary, a plastic or silicone device is placed into the vagina which will help to reposition the uterus.
A long-lasting solution to treat a tilted uterus is surgery. The surgery is called a uterine suspension and can decrease pain that women experience during intercourse and menstruation.
With a newer procedure called UPLIFT, women will have fewer postoperative complications.
A Tilted Uterus During Pregnancy
Getting pregnant should not be a problem for a woman with a tilted uterus. She will only be diagnosed as infertile due to a tilted uterus after her doctor has exhausted all other possible means of infertility.
Once she does conceives and is pregnant she should have a normal pregnancy. The tilted uterus should correct itself into an upright position between the tenth and twelfth week. If the uterus does not correct itself a miscarriage is possible but rare.
Other Names for a Tilted Uterus
A tilted uterus is known by many other names. Most commonly it is also known as a tipped uterus, backward uterus, retroflexed and retroverted uterus.
In a woman's medical history, the names below also refer to a tilted uterus.
- uterine retroversion
- uterine retroflexion
- retroversion of the uterus
- symptomatic uterine retroversion
- symptomatic uterine retroflexion
- uterine retrodisplacement
- reflexion of the uterus
When a woman has a tipped uterus, the longest-lasting option to correct and treat it is surgery. Other treatment options are only temporary. A retroverted uterus will very rarely affect getting pregnant and a pregnancy itself. Diagnosis is as easy as a pelvic exam by a doctor.
Source:
American Pregnancy Association. "Tipped Uterus: Tilted Uterus" (accessed December 31, 2010).
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